Apparatus for feeding logs to gangsaws



March 29, 1960 I Filed March 13, 1957 G. A. LOFTIN APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LOGS TO GANGSAWS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR GRADY A. LOFTIN ATTORNEYS March 29, 1960 G. A. LOFTlN 19 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LOGS T0 GANGSAWS Filed March 13; 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5.

INVENTOR GRADY .A. LOFTI N ATTORNEYS p I V 2930,4191 APPARATU non rnnnnso toes To GANGSAWS Grady A. Loftin, Aitavista, Va.,' assignor to The Lane Company, Inc, Altavista, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application March 13, 1957, Serial No. 645,853

2 Claims. (Cl. 144-242) This invention relates to vertical, reciprocating gangsaws, and particularly to apparatus for feeding logs or thelike thereto.

Logs fed by conventional apparatus to gangsaws tend to vibrate orbounce as soon as they are engaged and cut by the gangsaw, especially during high speed operations. This bouncing, if uncontrolled, produces irregularities in the thickness of the individual boards cut from the log and furthermore rotation or turning of the log about its longitudinal axis may occur during sawing and thereby impair the straightness or uniformity of the boards.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention to provide a novel log-feeding apparatus for gangsaws facilitating the production of uniform, straight boards.

Another object is to provide a novel conveyor arrangement particularly adapted to be utilized in a logfeeding apparatus for gangsaws to minimize undesirable log movements particularly rotation or turning, during engagement thereof by the gangsaw. A related object resides in the provision of an infeed carriage for gangsaws having a log stabilizing apparatus in combination with the conveyor arrangement.

. A still further object is to provide a novel infeed carriage for gangsaws permitting superior boards to be produced more economically and at higher operating speeds.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out. hereinafter.

The novel features of the invention may be best made clear from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a logfeeding apparatus or infeed carriage of the invention, disposed in operative relationship to both a gangsaw and outfeed carriage indicated by dotted lines; ,7

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the infeed carriage of Figure 1; t

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the infeed carriage partly in vertical section along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

' Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of a log-receiving trough of the infeed carriage of Figure 1 showing the manner in which a log is engaged by the conveyor; and t Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of the infeed conveyor shown in operative engagement with a log.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 illustrates a conventional vertical, reciprocating gangsaw 16 mounted below and extending above the work then 12. As will be understood, the gangsaw mounts a plurality'of parallel, vertical disposed saw blades 14, which are reciprocated vertically to saw a log 16 into a plurality of boards in a single pass through the gangsaw. Additionally, the gangsaw normally will be provided with feed rollers for engaging the log and pulling it through the gangsaw.

An infeed carriage 18 of the invention is disposed;

on the infeed side of the gangsaw, that is, to the left as illustrated in Figure l, to engage and feed logs to the gangsaw. An outfeed carriage 20 may be arranged at the outfeed side of the gangsaw and such carriage may be of the type described in my prior patent, 2,767,748, to effectively stabilize the boards emerging from; the mill.

As will be evident, the vertical reciprocating sawing action of the blades 14 inherently tends to impart vibratory or bouncing vertical movement to the logs 16 as they are engaged and cut by the gangsaw 10. Such vibra tory movement in turn tends to rotate or turn the log about its own longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the infeed carriage 18 is provided with novel log-engaging structure for minimizing these undesirable log movements.

. A preferred embodimentof the infeed carriage 18 in-- cludes a frame 22, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, hav-' ing transversely spaced, upwardly extending side 'mem--. bers 24 disposed adjacent one end thereof. The frame- 22 maybe movably supported on' wheels 26 for facili-- tating positioning thereof in desired relation with respect to the gangsaw.

A plurality of longitudinal log-receiving troughs 28* (Figures 2 and 3) preferably are formed in the top of frame 22. Inasmuch as these troughs and associated structures maybe of identical configurations, the .same reference numerals have been used to designate corresponding parts thereof. Although two .such troughs are 1 shown in transversely spacedrelation, it will be under stood that only one or any desired number thereof may be utilized. These troughs 28 are somewhat V-shaped in transverse section, as shown, and extend throughout the entire length of the frame 22. A narrow, elongated opening 30 preferably is formed in the bottom of :each

trough for reception of the upper flight 32 of'a conveyor These openings 30' extend throughout a substan- 34. tial portion of the length of the troughs, as shown, and depending vertical portions 36 (Figures 3 and 4) may be formed in the troughs adjacent the opening 30 therein for guiding the conveyor 34.

Each of the conveyors 34 may be in the form of ,a link-type chain trained about front 38 and rear 40 sprocket wheels preferably disposed below the troughs whereby the upper conveyor flight .32 will be at an elevation slightly below the'associated trough opening 30. The front sprocket wheels 38 are'carried inylaterallyspaced relation by a'transverse front shaft i2 journalled inthe 'side walls offrameZZ, whileth'e'rear sprocket wheels 40 are carried-in laterally spaced relation by transverse rear. shaft" ie-also journalled in frame -22.

One end of the rear or'trailingshaft 44 extends through the side Wall offrame 22, as seen in Figure. 2,. and. is engaged to a slip clutch 46 which in turn is drivenby motor 48, whereby power will be transmitted tothe conveyors for movement of the upper flightv thereof. inxthe ingly associated with slip clutch 46 through its'shaft54,

pulley wheels 56, 58f'andb'elt 60 arranged as shown. A chain and sprocket wheel drive may be substituted? for the pulley wheel and belt, if desired. t Each conveyor 34 includes means 'fori drivingly engaging a log 16 disposed in the associated trough 2 8for feeding the log to the gangsaw and preventing rotation and other undesirable movements thereofin' the trough.

Such means preferably includes a pairof pusher plates or lugs- 62 (Figure 4) attached as by welding to the conveyor in laterally spaced relation, as' shown; These 0 plates extend vertically outwardly from :the conveyor and l are. adapted to project upwardly through openingr30" in' Patented Mar. 29, 1930' Motor 48 may bemounted-on a horizontall platform or base 5i) secured to a vertical web 52 beg tweenthesidemembers 24, and themotormay be driv the trough for engagement to a log. Similar pairs of plates 62 may be conveniently disposed at longitudinallyspaced intervals on the conveyor, corresponding to the maximum length of log to be handled, as seen in Figures 1 and 2. On the leading, vertical edge of each plate 62, two sharp pointed pins 64 are mounted as shown, in any conventional manner, for impaling a log. These pins preferably extend horizontally from the plates 62 in vertically spaced relation, and although two have been shown for each plate, it will be understood that any desired number thereof may be utilized. As will be evident, the impaling engagement of pins 64 with a log, combined with the pushing effect of plates 62, will pro duce the desired longitudinal feeding movement of the log 16 to the gangsaw while being particularly effective to prevent undesirable rotation of the log.

The invention contemplates the provision of additional structure to coact with the plates 62 and pins 64 to further stabilize the movements of the log. Such additional structure preferably is similar to the stabilizing structure of the aforesaid patent, 2,767,748, being arranged within the side members 24 of the carriage frame 22, and includes a plurality of shafts 66 extending be tween side members 24 in laterally and vertically offset relation (see Figure l) and carrying a plurality of swingable or pivotable depending rigid fingers 68, as described in the above-mentioned patent. Each successive bank of fingers 68, in the direction of log movement (to the right in Figure 1), extends farther downwardly toward the troughs 28 and substantially spans the transverse distance between side members 24 as well as the combined trough width. As indicated in the above-mentioned patent, each of the fingers 68 acts individually or independently of other fingers and normally hangs in vertical suspended position from its respective shaft. It will be appreciated that logs of the size shown for example, will be engaged by each bank of fingers 68 as it passes between the side members 24. This engagement has been found to desirably minimize log vibrations as the logs are cut by the gangsaw and thereby operates with the action of the pins 64 on pusher plates 62 to produce straighter boards of more uniform width.

The construction and arrangement of the troughs 28, conveyor 34, and fingers 68 are such that logs of many different diameters can be handled satisfactorily, notwithstanding the fact that relatively thin or slenderlogs may only be engaged by the lowermost pins 64 on plates 62 and lowermost extending bank or banks of fingers 68.

In the operation of the log-feeding apparatus, it will be noted that the motor 48 upon being energized will initiate conveyor movement through belt 60, clutch 46 and sprocket wheels 40. Such conveyor movement will drive one set of the pins 64 thereon into a log placed in the trough between spaced pairs of pusher plates 62.

It will be appreciated that by reason of the disposition of conveyor flight 32 below the trough opening 30, a log will remain stationary in the trough between adjacent plates 62 until engaged by the pins 64. Thus the conveyor action in overcoming the inertia of the stationary log will be sufiicient to insure the desired impaling of the log by the pins 64. If both troughs are to be used simultaneously, the plates 62 on each of the conveyors 34 may be placed at corresponding or aligned locations so that logs similarly positioned in each trough will be simultaneously engaged by the adjacent plates 62 and pins 64. It will be understood that the size and construction of the gangsaw 10 will depend on the number of troughs 28, i.e. the number of logs which may be operated on at one time.

Continued conveyor movement after the pins 64 impale the log feeds the log between the side members 24 where it contacts some or all of the banks of fingers 68, causing pivotal movement thereof such as 'to the positions indicated in solid lines in Figure 1 (the dotted lines for fingers 68 in Figure 1 represent the normal position thereof).

As the log is fed into the gangsaw 10, the feed rollers therein engage the log for feeding it through the gangsaw. It will be appreciated that the slip clutch 46 of the conveyor drive will prevent the log from being fed through the gangsaw faster than the speed of travel imparted thereto by the gangsaw feed rollers. This is advantageous for proper cutting action by the saws.

Inasmuch as the infeed carriage preferably is disposed in close proximity to the gangsaw, and the conveyors 34 are substantially coextensive therewith, the pins 64 and fingers 68 will remain in engagement with the logs until a substantial portion of the logs has passed through the gangsaw. By virtue of this arrangement, feeding movement of the logs will be effectively controlled and stabilized, in the manner indicated hereinabove, until the time they are in a position where their tendency to vibrate, turn, or rotate is not appreciable and consequently would not cause variations in the uniform dimensions of the boards turned out.

Logs 16 may be successively loaded, automatically or manually, into the troughs 28 between adjacent pairs of plates 62, as indicated in Figure l for increasing the output of the machine. And the outfeed carriage 20 will be effective to stabilize the boards cut from the logs as well as to convey the boards to other stations in the plant. After the logs have substantially passed through the gangsaw, they will disengage themselves from the pins 64 and fingers 68, as is evident.

It will be evident that instead of a pair of plates 62, a single plate 62 may be utilized at each appropriate location on conveyor 34. Moreover, the plates 62 may be formed with integral sharp pointed projections taking the place of pins 64. Other types of conveyors can be substituted for the link-type conveyor chain 34, and the log impaling pins or projections may be directly attached thereto and/or they may extend in outwardly and forwardly inclined position with respect to the adjacent conveyor portion.

It will thus be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing specific embodiment has been shown and described only for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention and is subject to extensive change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for feeding logs to a gangsaw or the like comprising: a wheeled frame having transversely spaced side members adapted to be positioned ahead of the saw, a log-receiving trough extending longitudinally in said frame intermediate said side members, an endless conveyor having a fiight arranged parallel to and below said trough, means for driving said conveyor including a slip clutch, a plurality of raised banks of at least two sharp-pointed and generally horizontally disposed pins per bank mounted by and extending outwardly from each conveyor and into said trough, said banks being longitudinally spaced from one another on said conveyor a distance greater than the length of said logs, so that said pins in a bank impale the rear end of a log positioned in said trough and drive said log toward the saw while preventing rotation thereof. and a plurality of longitudinally offset banks of individually acting rigid fingers pivotally suspended between said side members and extending downwardly to elevations adjacent said trough, all fingers of each bank being of equal length and each successive rearward bank extending into closer proximity to said trough, so that at least some of the fingers will be pivoted upwardly by and rest upon the logs as they are fed by said conveyors, thereby maintaining the logs in contact with said trough.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein there are four sharp-pointed and generally horizontally disposed pins in each of said banks, said pins being arranged in parallelism with their points defining a generally rectangular outline. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 z Wurster Oct. 30, 1900 Thomas Apr. 15, 1902 Tardif Oct. 10, 1922 Morris Jan. 26, 1932 Rathert et al Aug. 14, 1951 Gustin Apr. 27, 1954 Loftin Oct. 23, 195

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Oct. 9, 188 Germany Feb. 3, 1906 

